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A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



OP 



HON. CHARLES H. LARRABEE, 



BY LTMAiT G. DEAFER, LL. D., 

Secretary State Historical Society of Wisconsin. 



[From the Collections of the State Historical Society, 1882.] 

SKETCH OF HON. CHARLES H. LARRABEE.' 



By Ltmah C. Dbafbb^ 

Few men were more prominently connected with public affairs, 
or better personally known, in Wisconsin, from 18-t7 to 1864, 
than the subject of this sketch — a member of the Convention 
that formed our Constitution, a Circuit Judge, and, ex-qfficio, a Jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court — an unsuccessful candidate for Chief 
Justice — a prominent member of Congress — a volunteer in the 
ranks at the out-break of our civil war, then a Lieutenant, a 
Major, and finally a Colonel; conducting himself with zeal and 
credit in four engagements, namely, the affairs at Lewinsville and 
Lee's Mills, and the battles of Williamsburg, and Perryville or 
Chaplin Hills. These long and useful services, civil and mili- 
tary, in behalf of Wisconsin, and, in part, in behalf of the Union, 
deserve a fitting record. 

Charles Hathaway Larrabee was born at Kome, Oneida County, 
N. Y., Nov. 9th, 1820. His father, Maj. Charles Larrabee, of the 
TJ. S. Army, was a native of Connecticut, descending from a 
Huguenot clergyman, who escaped from St. Bartholomew's mas- 
sacre, in France, and migrated to the New World with a few of 
his surviving flock. About the middle of the seventeenth cen- 
tury, we find Greenfield Larrabee settled at Saybrook, Connec- 
ticut Maj. Charles Larrabee commanded a company under Gen. 
Harrison at Tippecanoe, receiving his commander's special notice 
for his good service in that notable engagement with the Indians ; 
and, at the battle of Brownstown, in August, 1812, he lost an arm 
while managing the artillery. In the maternal line, the subject of 
this notice descended from John Haynes, Colonial Governor, first 
of Massachusetts, and then of Connecticut ; his mother's father, 

'The delay in printing the latter part of this volume, permits the insertion 
of this sketch, which would otherwise have been postponed for the next issue 
of the series. L. C. D. 



4: Wisconsin State Histoeical Society. 

Judge Joshua Hathaway, i^ one of six brothers who carried 
muskets side by side under the famous Gen. John Stark, at Ben- 
nington, and who, July 4tb, 1817, was selected to remove the first 
spade full of earth at the commencement of the Erie Canal. 

His father, Maj. Larrabee, while yet connected with the army, 
was at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien in 1821, and was subse- 
quently ordered to Chillicothe, Ohio. For a while he held the 
office of Surveyor of the port of Cincinnati, by appointment of 
President Jackson. The early education of his son was princi- 
pally obtained at Springfield Academy, and Granville College, now 
Denison University, Ohio, where he pursued an Academic course 
in English studies, mathematics, and the ancient languages, excel- 
ling in debates with his fellows on the rostrum. 

He read law with Gen. Samson Mason, and W. A. Rogers, 
prominent lawyers of Springfield, Ohio ; but being yet young, he 
concluded to engage awhile in the hardy employment of civil 
engineering, and thus aided in the construction of the Little Miami 
rail-road, the pioneer improvement of the kind in Ohio. Thence, 
in 1841, he went to Pontotoc, Mississippi, where he joined his old 
Granville class mate, the writer of this sketch ; and where, after a 
spasmodic attempt at farming, he was, in September, of that year, 
admitted to the bar, and was an unsuccessful candidate on the 
Bond-Paying Democratic ticket, for the Legislature. The climate 
not agreeing with him, he finally settled at Chicago, in July, 1844, 
where he engaged in the practice of law, and edited the Democratic 
Advocate^ on the insignificant salary of twelve dollars a month, and 
■where he was elected City Attorney. On May 13th, 1846, he was 
united in marriage with Minerva Norton, a young lady of many 
accomplishments ; and at the close of March, 1847, he settled at 
Horicon, Wisconsin ; giving that beautiful name to the Lake and 
village. He utilized the fine water-power at that point by the 
erection of mills, and there he made for himself a very cosy 
home. 

In October of 1847, he was chosen one of the three members 
to represent Dodge County in the second Constitutional Conven- 
tion, having been elected by a large majority, receiving the unan- 
imous vole of the people of Horicon. Out of the sixty-four 



Sketch of Chables H. Labbabeb. S 

members constituting the Convention, but two were younger than 
Mr. Larrabee. " In this body," says Tenney and Atwood's 
Memorial record of the Fathers of Wisconsin, '* he served upon the 
committee on general provisions, comprising preamble, bound- 
aries and admission of the State, suffrage and elective franchise, 
internal improvements, taxation, finance and public debt, militia, 
eminent domain, bill of rights, etc., and throughout took a leading 
and prominent part in its deliberations." Though somewhat re- 
strained from any appearance of over-activity in the proceedings, 
by the advice of his veteran and experienced political friend, 
Hon. Stoddard Judd, one of his associates from Dodge County ; 
yet his bright talents prompted him to speak on several occasions, 
and otherwise leave his impress on the Constitution then formed, 
and subsequently adopted by the people. 

Among the restrictions of the fundamental law, Mr. Larrabee 
strongly advocated the provision against a system of State internal 
improvements, and against a State debt, save for the suppression 
of insurrecton or for war purposes, or other extraordinary neces- 
sities; contended for the right of the people to determine the 
territorial limits of their respective counties, lest they should be 
made too small, and hence too expensive, simply to gratify the 
intrigues of politicians ; he spoke upon the question of the North- 
Western boundary of the State ; but the subject of homestead 
exemption — the protection of the homes of the poor — com- 
manded his special sympathies and earnest exertions. It was, so 
to speak, Mr. Larrabee's special hobby in the Convention ; and he 
had the satisfaction to see it triumphantly adopted, and become 
one of the fixed laws of the State. " In this convention," says 
Hon. S. U. Pinney, in the third volume of his Wisconsin Reports, 
"he took an active and prominent part, advocating and laboring 
zealously for the homestead exemption clause, which was em- 
bodied in the Constitution." 

On the adoption of the Constitution, Mr. Larrabee was, in July, 
1848, chosen Circuit Judge of his district — a very large one, com- 
prising six counties — by a very decided majority, making a large 
gain on his party's vote, and again receiving the unanimous suf- 
frage of his fellow- citizens of Horicon. He wrote his friend, the 



Wisconsin State Histoeical Societt. 

writer of this memoir : " Oi^ne 12th of July, as you know, I 
received the unanimous nomination of our Democratic Conven- 
tion for Circuit Judge. I am elected — and the only regular 
nominee chosen in the State. Our Circuit Court is composed of 
five judges, who likewise comprise the Supreme Court. I cer- 
tainly very much distrust my fitness for the station. I know I 
have mind and firmness enough ; but, then, I am such a lazy 
dog. However, I am at work, and shall keep at it." He served 
ten years most acceptably on the bench, having been once re- 
elected ; and he served also in the capacity of an Associate Judge 
of the Supreme Court — the Circuit Judges constituting that 
court until the new Supreme Court was chosen, and went into 
operation in 1853. In 1852, Judge Larrabee was the nominee of 
his party for Chief Justice, but failed of an election. 

Nominated as a candidate for Congress in 1858, he resigned, in 
October of that year, his seat upon the bench — " at the urgent 
solicitation," lie says, " of Stephen A. Douglas, who wanted to 
show his anti Lecompton strength in the North-West, in view of 
the Charleston Convention of 1860. I overcame 2,500 Republi- 
can majority in the district, and was elected by 1,200 majority," 
but when running for a re-election in 1860, he was swept under 
with Judge Douglas. During his term in Congress, he repre- 
sented, as was said at the time, the largest district in point of 
population in the Union, numbering 350,000 people. 

In December, 1859, Judge Larrabee took his seat in Congress, 
at a very exciting period of our nation's history, preceding the 
out-break of the impending civil war. "The struggle for the 
speakership," says Hon. F. W. Horn, " when that Congress met, 
is a matter of history — it was the last desparate effort of the 
South to gain the control of the House of Representatives ; and 
although Judge Larrabee's name was not brought forward for the 
Speakership, yet it was, at one time, proposed to take him up as 
a compromise candidate ; but his friendship for Mr. Douglas, and 
his being a new member, were in the way." Early in the session. 
Judge Larrabee delivered a very able speech, based on a supposed 
attack on the patriotism and loyalty of the Germans of Wisconsin ; 
in which he placed himself fully on Judge Douglas' platform 



Sketch of Chaeles H. Larrabee, T 

touching slavery in the Territories, dilating pretty freely on the 
ethnology of the negro race, and closed with a vigorous defence of 
the Union of the States : " If," he declared, " you want to see the 
' dark and bloody ground ' of Kentucky stretched across this 
whole continent from East to West, then contemplate, or dare con- 
template, the disruption of the American Union," broken up into 
hostile confederacies ! His loyalty to the union of the States was 
out-spoken, and enunciated in the most vigorous English, at a 
time when the Southern members of Congress were being rapidly 
drawn into the maelstrom of destruction. 

Judge Larrabee's term in Congress expired on the 8d of March, 
1861. The madness of the hour prevailed. Secession began its 
dis-integrating work, and civil war, with all its horrors, soon burst 
upon the country. He was not the man to stand idly by, when 
the Union was threatened. Emulating the patriotism of his 
grand-sire Hathaway, who had fought when only sixteen under the 
gallant Stark at Bennington, and of his father, who had led a 
company at the terrible onslaught at Tippecanoe, and lost an arm 
at Brownstown, Judge Larrabee hesitated not a moment when the 
hour for action arrived. The news of the fall of Fort Sumter on 
the 13th of April, reached Wisconsin the next day, when he 
promptly addressed the following letter to the Milwaukee News, 
with a view of arousing the enthusiasm of his party in support of 

the war : 

HoKicoN, Wis., April 14, 1861. 
Ed. Milwaukee News : There is but one thing to do, and that is to stand 
by the Government to the end. All this might have been avoided without 
loss of honor, or abating a particle from any valuable principle. But now 
one must be either with the Government or against it. I am with it, and 
am ready to go wherever I can be most useful. All questions of party are 
now gone forever. No party can withstand such a revolution, and hence it 
is idle to talk of Republicanism or Democracy. The war will continue from 
one to five years ; and after the war, either the Southern Confederacy will be 
recognized, or we shall build up a stronger Government. Specific powers 
will be given the States, and all others reserved to the General Government. 
We have the strongest Government on earth against outside attack, and the 
weakest against internal foes. We must make it stronger in the latter view. 
But this is speculation, for no man can foresee the result. There is blame 
on both sides. The Republican party was powerless in success, with Senate 
and House against it, and certain dissolution in the ordeal of distributing 



8 Wisconsin State Historical Socibtt. 

oflBces. Hence there was no q^pssity for revolution. On the other hand, 
the wicked course of the Anti-Slavery leaders is the principal cause of the 
disasters now upon us. But now, with a heavy heart, though determined 
will, I shall be found wherever my country calls. Yours as ever, 

Chas. H. Labrabee. 

On the same day, Judge Larrabee wrote patriotic letters to Gov. 
Randall, and Gen. Rufus King, the latter then at Washington, 
preparing for his departure as Minister to Rome. Gov. Randall 
replied, April 18th : 

My Dear Judge: Your note, oflering aid in this time of trouble, was 
received, and I need not tell you that among the ofiers of assistance promptly 
made to me by men of all parties, none has given me more satisfaction than 
yours. It is as much through the promptness and boldness of such men 
that the masses are aroused, as through the causes that led to that excite- 
ment. It is very likely that another regiment will be immediately raised; 
and if so, I shall be pleased to have you take stock in it. I wish you would 
advise with the Horicon company as to the manner of enrollment They 
must act promptly. Thanking you most heartily, I am, as ever, yours, 

A. W. Randall. 

Gen. King wrote from Washington, April 18th : 

My Dear Larrabee: Yours is just received. Good for you! I expected 
nothing less from a man whose heart is always right. I have shown your 
letter to Mr. Seward, who was greatly pleased with it. 

The very best thing for you to do, is to join the staff of the regiment called 
into service from our State. The Governor will, no doubt, give you an ap- 
pointment if you desire it. There is nothing in the gift of the War Depart- 
ment. 

We have " wars and rumors of wars " in plenty. Washington has been in 
great danger ; but is, I think, all safe now. Yesterday we had 3,000 troops 
here — 800 of them Regulars. Three thousand more arrived this morning, 
and as many additional are expected to-morrow. Within a week there will 
be 25,000 in and around the Capital. I do not believe the " Confederate 
States " will undertake to attack a city so defended. 

I shall sail for Europe on Saturday week, unless my services are deemed 
necessary here. If so, I will stay till the ball is over. 

My notion is, that the Government will content itself with occupying Wash- 
ington, St. Louis, Cairo, Fort Monroe, and one or two other prominent points 
with ample forces ; blockade all the Southern ports; cut off their mail and 
telegraph facilities; stop all supplies now bound down the Mississippi, and 
then let secession sweat itself out. 

If they want to fight, they must take the initiative, and invade the North. 
I don't think they will try that on. 

Always Truly Yours, Rufus King. 

Write to me at 28 W. 14th St., New York. 



Sketch of Chaeles H. Lareabeb. 9 

On the 17th of April, Judge Larrabee enlisted as a private in 
the Horicon Guard, an independent militia company, which had 
made a tender of its services for the first Wisconsin regiment, 
just called for by the General Government. Judge Larrabee's 
prompt and energetic action in support of the war, did much to 
arouse the enthusiasm oE the people, and promote the enrollment 
of volunteers. Before his company arrived in Milwaukee, he 
was elected a Second Lieutenant, and acted promptly in that 
capacity. 

Other regiments, however, were soon called into service, and 
Judge Larrabee was commissioned by Gov. Randall, Major of the 
Fifth Wisconsin, May 28th, 1861; and marched to the front in 
July, arriving on the Potomac early in August, where he saw 
much hard service on the lines, participating actively in the ex- 
posures, hardships, and dangers incident to war. The Fifth was 
first assigned to Gen. Rnfus King's Brigade, and constructed the 
earth-works on the south side of the Potomac, known as Fort 
Marcy ; but was soon after attached to Hancock's Brigade, in 
Gen. W. F. Smith's Division. 

The men passed through five drills every day, the monotony 
of which was sometimes relieved by war's alarms — and which, 
whether true or false, aided in preparing the men for prompt ac- 
tion when the foe should really appear. A correspondent, writ- 
ing Oct. 25th, relates this incident : " About noon, in some 
unaccountable manner, news reached our camp that our gallant 
Major Larrabee was surrounded by a superior force, and was hav- 
ing a desperate fight, and the rest of the Brigade rushed out on a 
double quick to the rescue. They found the Major and his com- 
mand quietly preparing to return to camp, not having seen Se- 
ceshers enough to engage a corporal's guard," 

While on a large foraging expedition. Major Larrabee partici- 
pated in the affair at Lewinsville, Sept. 11th, 1861. Capt. 
Emerson, of the Fifth regiment related, that on that occasion, 
Maj. Larrabee was ordered forward with the five companies com- 
posing the left wing of the regiment, to support Griffin's battery. 
Having disposed his men first behind the crest of a hill, on the 
right of the battery, he ordered every man of them to lie down, 



10 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 

concealed from the enemyi^^iew, so that if he should be bold 
enough to charge the battery, he woald meet with an unexpected 
reception. 

Presently the shot and shell began coming pretty thick, striking 
the ground some four rods in front of the line. Soon Griffin's 
battery opened on the Rebels, and every shell would burst over 
the'Rebel guns. The boys couldn't lie still any longer, but got 
up, some OQ their knees, and bolder ones on their feet, to see 
where our shells would strike — paying no regard whatever to 
the missiles coming from the Rebels, and striking in front and near 
them, Maj. Larrabee, who was in company with Geo. Smith and 
staff, near the battery, observing the boys of the Fifth thus 
evincing their curiosity, and fearing some of them might get hit, 
galloped up to them, saying : " I told, you to lie down, you 
rascals — down, every one of you ; the first thing I know some 
of you will get hurt. It is astonishing how little you care for your 
lives." The boys lay down, as ordered ; but wondered if the 
Major knew he was quite as good a mark on his horse, Bony, as 
they were on foot. The Confederates at length retired, and the 
expedition proved successful. 

During the Autumn and early Winter of 1861-62, Hon. Wm. 
A. Richardson, then a member of the House of Representatives from 
Illinois, and other War Democrats, made an effort to have Maj. 
Larrabee promoted to a Brigadier General, as up to that time none 
but Republicans had been appointed to that rank — and, in fact, 
none from Wisconsin but members of that party, it is believed, 
during ihe war. Prompted by this effort. Gen. Hancock wrote to 
Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, the following commen- 
dation : 

Camp Griffin, Va., Nov. 30, 1861. 

Sir: Maj. Chas. H. Larrabee, 5th Wis. Vols , has been under my command 
for some time (two months). Having had occasion to see a great deal of him 
in camp, and on detached service in command of troops under my own eye, 
I can, with great pleasure, state that his habits of thought and action, and his 
general bearing, point him out as a person eminently fitted to command 
troops. 1 have seen no more efficient officer among those who have not had 
great experience in military matters. It is true, that the talents of Maj. Lar- 
rabee are not being used in the volunteer service to the best advantage. 
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. 8. Hancock, Brig. Qen'l Vols. 



Sketch of Charles H. Lakbabbe. 11 

While this effort proved unavailing, Maj. Larrabee, by his faith- 
ful services, and energy of character, was steadily making friends 
and reputation in the army. His Division commander, Gen. Smith, 
tendered him the appointment of Provost Marshal on his staff, 
which he declined for the reason that he preferred to serve with 
his regiment during the campaign on the Peninsula, which had 
then just commenced its operations. Gren. Smith's Assistant Ad- 
jutant General, L. D. Currie, wrote Maj. Larrabee, March 8, 1862, 
as fallows : 

" Sir: — I am directed by Brig. Gen. W. F. Smith, commanding this Divis- 
ion, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ult., and to express 
his regret that, under existing circumstances, you have thought it unadvisa- 
ble to accept the appointment of Provost Marshal of this Division. Gen. 
Smith regrets this determination on your part the more, as by your zeal and 
assiduity on a previous occasion, you much advanced the interests of his 
Division." 

In the latter part of March, 1862, on a reconnaissance up James 
Kiver, above Newport News, a correspondent wrote : " We all be- 
gan to feel uneasy about Major Larrabee, who had command of 
two companies, I and D, who were ordered out to act as flankers. 
It appears that the Major and his command crossed what is called 
Rich Creek where the tide was low, and proceeded two miles 
farther, drove in a squad of Rebel cavalry, and when he returned 
he found the tide in, which made it too deep to cross ; but making 
the best of his situation, he encamped there that night, and the 
next day he rejoined us at camp without accident, although he 
was fired at by the Rebel gun-boats." Gen. Hancock, sometimes 
himself commanding on foraging expeditions, would order Major 
Larrabee to lead the advance guard on the outward march, and 
the rear guard on returning — showing his confidence in the 
Major's efficiency, and the *' stuff " he was made of. 

Stern work was now at hand. McClellan advanced against the 
enemy, strongly entrenched, in and around Yorktown. Maj. Lar- 
rabee served in the attack on a strong fort, erected to guard a dam 
over Warwick Creek, between Wynn's and Lee's mills, and some 
four miles from Yorktown, April 16th. " The object of the at- 
tack," says Gen. McClellan, " was merely to prevent the further 
construction of works, and feel the strength of the position." The 



IS Wisconsin State Hi8tobici.l Socibtt. 

enemy, it was related, lo^^ne hundred and forty-five killed, 
wounded, and prisoners; while the Union loss was thirty-five 
killed, one hundred and twenty wounded, and nine prisoners — 
mostly while attempting to wade the stream. Dr. A. L. Castle- 
man, surgeon of the Fifth Wisconsin, who was an eye-witness, 
states in his work on the Army of the Potomac^ that "about two 
hundred brave men were sacrificed." As the Fifth Wisconsin did 
not share in this attack, and Maj. Larrabee states that he partici- 
pated in it, it is presumed that he served temporarily as a volun- 
teer — probably on the staff of Gen. Smith, who commanded on 
occasion. 

On the night of the 3d of May, the Confederates evacuated 
Yorktown, which was occupied by the Union troops the next 
day ; and towards evening of the 4th, the Fifth Wisconsin was 
among the force designated to attack the field-works known as 
Fort Magruder — the largest of thirteen redoubts — which ex- 
tended nearly across the Peninsula from the York to the James 
River. 

A-fter an ineffectual attempt to reach and attack the fort that 
night, the regiment, in thick darkness, at eleven o'clock, was or- 
dered to lie down. The rain descended in torrents. Without 
knapsacks, blankets, or food, and exhausted by long wading 
through deep mud, they uncomplainingly made the best of their 
situation. It was fortunate that the Fifth Wisconsin missed its 
route on that dark and stormy night, for Fort Magruder was de- 
fended by several regiments, as the next morning's light revealed. 

On the morning of the 5th of May, after wading through mud 
and water for three miles, Maj. Larrabee was ordered, with four 
companies of the Fifth, to dash across a mill-dam over Cub Dam 
Creek, a small tributary of Queen's Creek — regarded at the time 
as one of the most perilous and heroic undertakings of the war, 
as that passage was confronted with a formidable redoubt. A 
writer in the Milwaukee Wisconsin mentions " Maj. Larrabee's 
daring act of crossing a narrow mill-dam, in the face of the most 
formidable looking fort I ever saw. True, that fort was not oc- 
cupied ; but it was impossible for him to know it ; and twenty 
men behind its walls could, in five minutes, have annihilated the 



Skbtch of Chables H. Labbabeb. li 

whole force sent against it" .This was not sheer recklessness on 
Maj. Larrabee's part, but was simply prompt obedience to mili- 
tary orders. j 

Having passed the mill-dam on the run, the detachment filed to 
the left of the redoubt, and entered it without resistance, the work 
having been abandoned. The remainder of the regiment and other 
troops, with Wheeler's battery, quickly followed. Lieut. Col. 
Emery, with five companies of the Fifth, was sent forward as 
skirmishers. Col. Cobb, with the remainder of the regiment, ad- 
vanced four hundred yards in support of his skirmish line, and 
the battery ; and the latter began to play upon the Rebel strong- 
hold. Fort Magruder. The enemy now sallied out, and advanced 
upon the skirmishers, who slowly retired. The battery now fell 
back to the rear, while the skirmishers checked the Rebel cavalry. 
This was about half past four in the afternoon. Col. Cobb was 
told that the enemy's cavalry was charging down on him, and he 
immediately, aided by Maj. Larrabee, threw his men into a hollow 
square. As the cavalry did not appear, the regiment was again 
formed in battle array, under a most galling fire of the enemy. 

Not receiving the re-inforceraents called for. Gen. Hancock 
ordered the Wisconsin troops to fall back fighting, to a better 
position. The enemy, under Gren. Early, and other leaders, pressed 
on, yelling by way of intimidation, "Bull's Run! Ball's Blufl! " 
They seemed determined to capture the battery, or die in the 
attempt. Gradually and slowly the Wisconsin boys fell back, 
disputing every ioch of the ground ; and within twenty rods of 
the Badger regiment, the enemy opened a heavy fire, when Cobb's 
men began to waver, seeing which, their brave Colonel cried out: 
" Will you leave me and the old flag ? " " No ! never ! " was 
shouted on every hand. This checked the enemy for a moment, 
when the Wisconsin boys fell back, joining the Sixth and Seventh 
Maine regiments, who united with the Badger troops, in sending 
volley after volley into the enemy. It seemed like a sheet of 
flame. At this opportune juncture, the Union batteries opened 
upon them with grape, when they broke and fled in the wildest 
confusion. " They run ! they run ! " broke forth from the heroic 
Unionists, and cheer upon cheer arose above the din of the con- 



,14 Wisconsin Statb Histoeical Society. 

flict Hancock rode rapyi^ up and down the ranks, encouraging 
the men to stand fast, and ordered the Fifth Wisconsin, Seventh 
Maine, and Thirty-Third New York forward, when they charged 
down upon the foe with a shout that made the welkin ring. " The 
enemy's charge," says an eye witness, " an audacious one, was re- 
pulsed with great slaughter — almost entirely of infantry on both 
sides — the Rebels displaying a courage worthy of a better cause, 
while the Wisconsin boys met them with the cool determination 
of veterans." 

A correspondent of the New York Herald, speaking of this 
famous charge of the Fifth Wisconsin, Seventh Maine, and New 
York Thirty-Third, said : " Away went the regiments, with one 
glad cheer. Gallant as our foes undoubtedly were, they could 
not stand that But few Brigades mentioned in history have 
done better than this did, for a space which was generally esti- 
mated at three quarters of a mile. They advanced under the 
fire of a splendidly served battery, and with a cloud of skirmish- 
ers stretched across their front, whose fire was very destructive ; 
and if, after that, the Rebels had not had a line of bayonets that 
came toward them like the spirit of destruction, it need not be 
wondered that they broke and fled in complete panic. Nearly 
five hundred were killed and taken prisoners." 

"This," declares another writer, "was probably the most bril- 
liant charge made during the day. Our regiments all did nobly, 
but none of them more so than the Fifth Wisconsin, and Forty- 
Third New York. Col. Cobb and Major Larrabee, of the Fifth 
Wisconsin, and Cols. Fenton and Pearson, of the Forty-Third 
New York,^ are deserving of especial praise. The charge made 
by Hancock saved us the day in all probability." " Gren. Han- 
cock," says Lossing, "finally made a fierce bayonet charge, when 
the Confederates broke and fied, with precipitation, with a loss of 
over five hundred men." 

' This writer plainly errs in stating that the Forty-Third New York, with 
Cols. Fenton and Pearson, shared in the charge. The official reports, and 
Judd's Story of the Thirty-Third New York Volunteers, prove conclusively 
that it was the Thirt3'-Third, with Cols. Taylor and Corning that took part in 
this service. 



Sketch op Chables H. Laeeabee. 15 

• Another letter-writer, speaking at the time, of the battle of 
Williamsburg, said : " Of Maj. Larrabee, I have so often written, 
that you will scarcely need to be told, that he was everywhere, 
inspiring every one with his indomitable energy and persever- 
ance." The Milwakee Sentinel stated, that "correspondent's 
writing of the gallant charge of Hancock's Brigade, pay the Wis- 
consin Fifth marked compliments, and speak especially of the 
coolness and courage of Col. Cobb and Maj, Larrabee." The 
Wisconsin boys gained not these undying laurels without a heavy 
sacrifice — nine killed and seventy wounded. 

Gen. McClellan, in his report, speaks of Gen. Hancock having 
been " confronted by a superior force. Feigning to retreat slowly, 
he awaited their ontset, and then turned upon them, and after 
some terrific volleys of musketry, he charged them with the 
bayonet, routing and dispersing their whole force. This was one 
of the most hrilliani engagements of the wary 

Two days after the action. Gen. McClellan, accompanied by 
Gens. Smith and Hancock, visited the regiment at dress parade, 
and addressed the boys familiarly: "My lads, I have come to 
thank you for the bravery and discipline which you displayed the 
other day. On that day, you won laurels of which you may well 
be proud — not only you, but the army, the State, and the country 
to which you belong. Through you, we won the day, and ' Wil- 
liamsburg ' shall be inscribed upon your banner. I cannot thank 
you too much, and I am sure the reputation your gallantry has 
already achieved, will always be maintained." Gen. McClellan 
then paid a similar compliment to the Seventh Maine, and Thirty- 
Third New York regiments, proclaiming that the word " Willams- 
burg " should also be emblazoned on their banners. He also 
declared that Gen. Hancock's conduct in securing the victory was 
" Superb," which carries with it the highest possible compliment 
to the Fifth Wisconsin, its officers and men, and their heroic asso- 
ciates on that memorable battle-field. 

Military reputation is but too often a target for the envious. 
Speaking of the battle of Williamsburg, Dr. Castleman, in his 
work, observes : " I have heard it stated, that Maj. Larrabee was 
not at his post during the fight It is due to the Major to state 



16 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 

emphatically, that he was^M)t only in the fight, but actively en- 
gaged wherever there were symptoms of wavering, and where duty 
called him." 

The next day after the battle, and while pursuing the enemy, a 
correspondent remarks : " In passing, I visited the burial place of 
Daniel Park Custis, whose son was the first husband of Mrs. 
George Washington. The place was a ruin, and I saw Maj. Lar- 
rabee copying the inscription on a broken monolith. What a 
sight — an army marching over the ground where Washington 
once lived, to fight Virginians ! " Though Washington never 
lived there, he had often, no doubt, visited the place. 

The Chickahominy swamps, and the lowlands of Virginia, with 
the exposures of the campaign, began to tell on the army, and 
Maj. Larrabee did not escape the prevalent sickness. Chronic 
diarrhoea prostrated him, and he was, in consequence, confined 
sometime in the hospital at White House, Virginia. 

In the organization of new regiments. Gov. Salomon appointed 
Maj. Larrabee to the command of the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin. 
He at once resigned his position in the Fifth, July 25th, 1862. 
That evening the officers of the regiment met and unanimously 
passed the following preamble and resolutions : 

" Whereas, The Executive of our State has testified his appreciation of 
the abilities and distinguished services of Maj. Charles H. Larrabee, by con- 
ferring upon him the highest military trust within his gift, in commissioning 
him Colonel of one of the Wisconsin regiments recently accepted by the 
President, we, the officers of the Fifth, desiring to avail ourselves of this 
opportunity to testify our respect, our esteem, and our affection for our late 
Major, do adopt the following resolutions: 

" Resolved, That while we deeply deplore the loss to our regiment of an 
experienced and able officer, and to ourselves of a wise counsellor, social 
companion, and true and tried friend, we at the same time congratulate the 
nation, the State, and the regiment which be has to command, upon the selec- 
tion of one so eminently fit to train to arms, and lead to battle, the sons of the 
Badger State. 

" Resolved, That although in future marches, when the hills and valleys 
shall resound with the tread of armies and the clash of arms, we shall miss 
the encouraging words of our beloved Major, yet the cheering recollections 
of the past, when we first entered upon the theatre of war, and fought our 
first battle, inspired by his presence and example, shall nerve our hearts to a 
firmer determination for our country to conquer, or for our country to die. 



Skbtch of Ghables n. Labbabbb. 17 

" Resolved, That while we bid him a regretful adieu, and a God-speed iu 
his new field of usefulness and labor, we hopefully look forward with pleasing 
anticipations to the time when the troubles, which now convulse our country, 
are over, and we shall be permitted to enjoy many happy re-unions at home." 

After the adoption of this expression of his associates in arms, 
"Major Larrabee," says one present, "gave us a little talk. He 
said many good things, as he always does when he talks, and 
promised within sixty days to bring into the field a regiment, 
which would strive to equal the brilliant career of the Fifth 
Wisconsin. The feeling was, this will be hard to do, Major; you 
have taken a heavy load ; may your shoulders bear up under it 
The Major left the next morning, and really there was a feeling 
of loneliness in camp. The best wishes of all the regiment go 
with him." 

Gov. Salomon was commended in the Wisconsin gazettes for 
promoting Major Larrabee to the command of a new regiment : 
" He has been in active service since the commencement of the 
war ; has proved himself an efficient, brave and popular ^oflScer, and 
has by his zealous, patriotic and untiring exertions richly earned 
the position to which he is now assigned." Reaching Milwaukee 
August 1st, he made a brief speech the next day to the Chamber 
of Commerce, thanking them for the noble part they had taken 
in raising the Twenty-Fourth regiment; and declaring that his 
men should be well drilled, and that he was not going to the front 
to fight for any " ism," but "for the preservation of our nation- 
ality;" that, in his opinion, the idea of conciliation or compro- 
mise was absurd ; that, in short, the war must be fought out by 
hard knocks. 

Col. Larrabee at once appointed a series of war meetings in his 
old Congressional district, at the county towns of Ozaukee, She- 
boygan, Washington and Dodge, accompanied by such men as 
Edward G. Ryan, H. L. Palmer, Matt. H. Carpenter, and others, 
and succeeded in arousing such enthusiasm as to bring into the 
field enough men, it was said, for four regiments. In the final 
adjustment of the volunteers, Col. Larrabee's regiment was made 
up mainly of Milwaukee men — eleven enlisting from the " Wis- 
consin " printing office alone. Col. Larrabee received a stand of 
% 



18 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 

colors awarded by the Stat^R) the Colonel who should first raise 
his regiment; and a fine band of music was made up from the 
men of his command. 

But little drilling of the regiment was done before it was or- 
dered to the front. The muster of the several companies was 
completed on the 2l3t of August — the next day Col. Larrabee 
received his commission ; and on the 5ih of September the Twenty- 
Fourth left Milwaukee for Kentucky, one thousand and twenty 
strong. Oa the 8th of October the regiment received its baptism 
of fire at the battle of Perryville or Chaplin Hills, serving as a 
part of Grreusel's Brigade, and Gen. P. H. Sheridan's Division. 
In that engagement, Col. Larrabee's Badger boys were held in re- 
serve in support of a battery, yet shared in the activities and 
perils of the day. 

An eye-witness and participant in the operations of the regi- 
ment writes: "Our General says, that the Twenty-Fourth Wis- 
consin saved the battery in that bold and terrific charge by 
Walker's and Adams' Confederate Brigades. The Rebels came 
up through the corn-field in two solid lines ; and as the grape and 
canister mowed through their ranks, they closed up and steadily 
advanced. We were in -the rear of the battery when they first 
advanced, and were moved by the west flank around to its left, 
taking our position on the road. The hilltop was before us, and 
shielded us from the bullets that hummed like a hornet's nest over 
us, not a foot above our heads. The Fifty-Second Ohio was over 
the brow of the hill, and was driven back slowly until they rested 
on our front. Then, at that critical moment. Col. Larrabee gave 
the command to advance to the hill-top, and fire. Our left was 
screened by a piece of woods, and was not one hundred feet from 
.the solid Rebel lines, which halted at the fence that enclosed the 
field, and who were subjected to the terrible cross and direct fire 
of our battery, the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin, the Thirty-Sixth 
Illinois, and the Fifty-Second Ohio ; their almost demonical cheers 
were soon discomfited, they broke ranks and skedaddled. The 
officers of the Twenty-Fourth acted with fearlessness and disci- 
pline. Col. Larrabee is a model and brave officer, and acted 
accordingly." 



Sketch of Charles H. Labrabbb. 19 

Another member of the regiment gave this account of the op- 
erations of the Twenty-fourth : " After standing under fire for 
about fifteen minutes, we received orders from Gen. Sheridan to 
move across the road, and pass to the left, where the Rebels were 
making a desperate effort to out-flank the left of our Division. 
Col. Larrabee immediately gave the order — ' By the left flank, 
double quick, march ! ' — and away we went, crossing a road en- 
filaded by Rebel musketry; and, in less time than it takes to 
write it, we were again formed into line, in front of a corn-field, 
which was perfectly alive with the enemy. We fired half a 
dozen rounds at them, and they skedaddled, leaving guns, knap- 
sacks, clothing, and everything else behind they could not con- 
veniently carry away. We followed them a short distance, and 
company " B " deployed as skirmishers through the corn-field, and 
had the honor of capturing five prisoners — Sergeant Alanson 
taking three, and Corporal Rogers two. Col. Larrabee also cap- 
tured one, who was hiding behind the fence. We were actively 
engaged about an hour, and exposed to a heavy fire the greater 
part of the time. Col. Larrabee gave his orders as coolly as on 
dress parade ; and it was probably owing, in a great degree, to 
his coolness and nerve, that the regiment acquitted themselves 
so well." 

In his"official report of the part the Twenty-Fourth took in the 
battle. Col. Larrabee said : " I cannot commend too highly the 
conduct of both officers and men. They advanced, under fire of 
the enemy, and formed into position with the coolness and celerity 
of veterans." It was remarkable that so few casualties occurred — 
only one of the regiment killed, and three wounded ; the ridge 
in their front, and being prostrate upon the ground, saved them 
in the earlier part of the engagement. 

Brigade Commander Grreusel thus spoke in his report of Col. 
Larrabee's regiment in the action : " The Twenty-Fourth Wis- 
consin went forward with cheers, and soon engaged the enemy's 
right, pouring in, and keeping up a cross-fire on their Brigade, 
which made sad havoc among them. This wing was the first to 
break, the regiment following it to the left on the road until out 
of range, when, after thus gallantly distinguishing themselves, they 



JIO "Wisconsin Statb Historical Society. 

retired to the top of the hi^pior the night Both officers and men 
behaved with coolness and deliberation, marching to the front 
with the steadiness of veterans, and firing very regularly, though 
tinder a severe fire of musketry. Col. C. H. Larrabee cannot be 
too much praised for his coolness and good soldierly behavior 
during the whole engagement, ever prompt to obey ray orders." 

The army advanced southward to Nashville and Murfees- 
borough. Col. Larrabees old Chickahominy troubles again in- 
capacitated him a portion of the time from service, and we find him 
at Nashville on sick leave in November. As important operations 
were anticipated, he too soon repaired to the front ; but found 
himself unequal to the exposures incident to the season, and the 
unusual activity of the service, and was compelled to retire to 
Nashville to recuperate. His regiment participated in the battle 
of Murfeesborough or Stone's Eiver, Gen. Rosecrans commanding 
the Union forces, and Gen. Bragg the Confederates ; and after 
three days hard fighting, commencing December 31st, victory 
crowned the Union arm?. 

While the great battle was yet in progress, Col. Larrabee wrote, 
Jan. 1st, 1863, to Hon. Alexander Mitchell : " With an ulcerated 
throat, and an almost entire loss of voice, I marched with the regi- 
ment the fir.st day, in a heavy rain ; the night following I could 
get no sleep, my throat grew rapidly worse, and my voice gave 
out. I had already turned the command over to Maj. Hibbard ; 
and, the next morning, I summoned courage enough to yield to 
the advice of my surgeon and officers, and returned to Nashville. 
I had every confidence that they would do their duty. I had con- 
fidence in the skill and self-reliance of the Major. This confidence 
has been more than met. I hear nothing but good of the regi- 
ment from all sides; but, my friend, not to be with my regiment 
has been the hardest task I have ever been called upon to perform. 
You well know that nothing short of entire physical incapacity 
would have induced me to let the regiment march without me." 

At length Col. Larrabee so far recovered as to repair to the 
front, at Murfreesborough, on the 1st of March. " He was re- 
ceived," writes one of his men, " with three rousing cheers from 
the boys, and a serenade by the band — than which there is none 



Sestch of Chables H. Labbabbb. 21 

better in the business. The Colonel made a speech to the boys 
after ' tatoo,' last night, and expressed his happiness in meeting 
them again. It was natural to see him once more with us, and 
we all hope that his health will permit him to remain He cer- 
tainly looks improved in every respect, and if he is as well as he 
looks, we have no fears." 

Col. Larrabee's will-power kept him up as long as possible. 
He was proud of his regiment, loved the service, and was popu- 
lar with all classes of the army, from the highest officer to the 
humblest in the ranks. In May, for a few days, in the absence 
of General Lytle, he commanded the Brigade ; but disease had 
fastened itself upon him. " I visited Col. Larabee, yesterday," 
writes a Murfreesborough correspondent. May 21st ; " he looks very 
much worn out." At length, wasted by disease contracted in the 
swamps of the Chickahominy, he yielded to the inevitable, and 
resigned, August 27th 1863, retiring from his command, greatly 
to his regret. Had not his health failed him, he was well adapted 
to military life, and well calculated to have risen, by his force of 
character and sterling merit, to the highest honors of the service. 

On this occasion, Gen. P. H. Sheridan, commanding the Divi- 
sion of which the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin formed a part, v/rote 
thus kindly to Col. Larrabee, under date Stevenson, Ala., Aug. 
31st: " Colonel : On retiring from the service, I desire to express 
to you, in some manner, my regard for your past services in con- 
nection with my Division. Having had every opportunity to ob- 
serve, it gives me great satisfaction to testify to the ability you 
have always displayed as a commander. Your conduct and bear- 
ing have always been that of an intelligent, brave and obedient 
officer; and I feel assured that whatever position you may here- 
after be called upon to occupy, you will win for yourself the same 
credit to which, I am happy to say, you are justly entitled, for the 
valuable services you have, in your patriotism, rendered the Gov- 
ernment while commanding a regiment in this Division." 

James Adair Grover, Assistant Adjutant General, addressed to 
Col. Larrabee, Aug. 30th, in behalf of Gen. W. H. Lytic, the 
following official order: "Colonel : I have the honor to forward 
the acceptance of your resignation to the Head-Quarters of the 



23 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 

Army of the Cumberland^pThe General commanding directs me 
to express his profound regret, that you are about to bid farewell 
to his command and the service. He desires nie thus officially to 
bear testimony to your gallant and honorable record as an officer 
and a gentleman. He directs me to say, that since he assumed 
command of this Brigade, he has found you uniformly active, 
zealous, and untiring in the discharge of your official duties. 

" While for military considerations, he regrets your resignation, 
it is a matter of congratulation that the people and the country 
are to have the benefit of your wide experience and distinguished 
ability. Carry with you, Colonel, to your home, the high regard 
and best wishes of your comrades in arms." 

In accepting Col. Larrabee's resignation, Henry M. Cist, Assist- 
ant Adjutant Greneral, by command of Major General Rosecrans, 
endorsed as a reason : " Physically suited to enter the Invalid 
Corps." " His military record," in the language of Tenney and 
Atwood, in their work on the Fathers of Wisconsin^ " was equally 
brilliant and useful." 

Though, not, perhaps, engaged in so many battles as some 
others, yet he was oftener in command of skirmishers, during the 
advance of the armies, than any officer of his corps, and always 
acquitted himself with the highest credit. Yet petty jealousies, 
even after his retirement from the service, did not cease their un- 
worthy back-bitings. The following letter from Gen. Rosecrans, 
if anything further were necessary, should forever put to shame 
these baseless misrepresentations : 

San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 16, 1867. 
My Dear Colonel: 

I am annoyed to hear that calumny has had the audacity to whisper that 
you left the Army of the Cumberland in some kind of disgrace. No officer 
of his ^rade stood higher in my estimation for ability, courage or patriotism, 
than you did ; when I became satisfied that the condition of your health, and 
other personal circumstances made known to me, imposed on me the duty 
of accepting your resignation. You are at liberty to use this letter as you 
please. 

Sincerely trusting that no Union man has been mean enough to lend a hand 
in stabbing one of the country's noble supporters and soldiers, 

I am Your Friend, 

W. S. Rosecrans, 

Col. Charles H. Larbabee. Bre't Maj. Gen., U. S. A. 



Sketch of Cha.blks H. Lareabee. 23 

In the Spring of 1864, Col. Larrabee migrated to California, 
accompanied by his daughter, stopping at San Jose. Yisiting 
Virginia City, Nevada, he was attacked with his old army com- 
plaint, the diarrhoea ; and finding he could not stand the climate, 
he returned to San Jose, and spent the Summer on Gen, Naglee's 
ranch near that city ; but in the early Autumn he was attacked 
with erysipelas in the head, and barely survived. Thinking a 
higher latitude w(3uld prove more healthful, he removed to Salem, 
in Oregon, in October, and engaged in the practice of law with 
Hon. Lansing Stout, and was the next month joined by his wife 
and son. 

He had some recurrences of his old army complaint. But his 
nature was restless, and he sought too frequent change of resi- 
dence for his success. After awhile he returned to California, 
residing for sometime at Los Angeles. His wife died in San 
Francisco, Aug. 7th, 1873. He subsequently located, with Beriah 
Brown, at Seattle, in Washington Territory. Having been a 
framer of the Wisconsin Constitution in 1847-48, thirty years 
later, in 1879, he was a member of a Convention in Washington 
Territory to frame a constitution in anticipation of its admission 
as a State into the Union. But the people were not yet prepared 
for such a step, and did not adopt the Constitution submitted to 
them. Col. Larrabee was chosen one of the five Trustees, and 
the Treasurer of the Board, for organizing at Seattle a Univer- 
sity for the Territory, which was favored with an endowment of 
public lands. 

Col. Larrabee finally settled at San Bernardino, in Southern 
California, resuming the practice of his profession, and fitting up 
a lovely rural home, with a fine variety of tropical fruits. 
Returning from a visit to San Francisco, when near Los Angeles, 
Jan. 20th 1883, the train, making a brief stop on a summit it had 
just gained, being detached from the engine, started off on the 
down grade at a frightful speed, a distance of four miles, and then 
plunged down an embankment, killing and burning in the shat- 
tered cars some sixteen persons — among them Col. Larrabee. 
His melancholy and shocking death cast a gloom over his many 
friends in every part of the country. A son, daughter, and three 
grand-children survive him. 



24 Wisconsin State Histobical Socibtt. 

In a characteristic letter ^mdtten by Judge Larrabee, and pub- 
lished in The Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, he gave the following 
account of himself : " I had only an Academic education at Gran- 
ville and Springfield, Ohio. At the former, I was school-mate of 
Lyman C. Draper. The best work I ever did for Wisconsin was 
to induce Draper to remove from Baltimore, and settle in the 
State. I procured the first appropriation by the Legislature for a 
small salary for him as Secretary of the Historical Society,^ and 
took an active part in its reorganization with Wm. R. Smith and 
others. I first brought Draper to the attention of L. J. Farwell, 
then Governor, who aided me substantially and cordially. 

" I left the army broken down in health, and took a sea voyage 
as a last resort ; came to the Pacific coast, recovered health, and have 
never regretted the change for a moment. When I left the bench, 
my bar, in their resolutions, said, I had been an industrious, cap- 
able and honest Judge. I knew I had been industrious and 

' This was at the session of 1855, and the salary provided was $500 a year. 
Messrs. S. L. Rose, A. H. Van Norstrand, L. B. Vilas, Chase A. Stevens, Wm. 
Hull, Alanson Filer, Thomas Falvey, W. R. Taylor, George Gary, Peter 
Rogan, J. H. Earnest, and Samuel Pratt were among the Assemblymen who 
supported the measure. Beriali Brown was especially active in seconding 
Judge Larrabee's efforts, with the members of both Houses, and the bill was 
passed. 

At the next session, Judge Larrabee influenced others to agitate the subject 

of an increase of the Secretary's salary to $1,000 — among others, Judge T. 

O. Howe interested himself in the matter, as the following note from him to 

Judge Larrabee, shows : 

Madison, March 9, 1856. 

Dea/r Sir : Upon your suggestion, I spoke to several members of both Houses 

touching an increase of Mr. Draper's pay. Every man, including Judge Rose 

^.ndMr. Hull, met the proposition very cordially. Rose said the Republicans 

were the most unwilling to pay him last Winter. I accordingly drew up a 

memorial, procured many signatures, and obtained Senator David Taylor's 

pledge to attend to it. He presented it. It was referred to the Committee on 

State Aiiairs. Judge Dunn was absent — has not yet returned. Yesterday, 

I returned from Milwaukee, and found Taylor absent. As soon as a bill can 

be got from the Committee, it will pass without much opposition. 

" Yours truly, 

" TIM. O. HOWE." 

As Judge Howe indicated, there was no special opposition to the measure. 

L. C. D. 



Sketch of Chablks H. Larrabee. 25 

honest, but doubted the other. The Lord has denied me any love 
of money whatever, so I am what they call a poor man. Being 
born in the army, I never had a particle of State pride. All 
States seem to me like so many Counties. Nor have I love of 
locality. Cities I hate. I am happiest in building up new homes, 
introducing new fruits, and other light productions of the soil." 

Judge Larrabee was essentially a pioneer — "the Western im- 
pulse," says The Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, " seems to have been 
the governing motive of his character." I remember when with 
him in Northern Mississippi, in 1841, he had a strong desire to 
push on to the far-off country of Oregon, which he finally reached 
a quarter of a century later. 

In his sketches of the Judges of the first Supreme Court of 
"Wisconsin, Mr. Pinney says, that Judge Larrabee filled the double 
position of Circuit and Supreme Court Judge, " in the most cred- 
itable and acceptable manner. He was prompt and impartial, 
and his written opinions bear favorable testimony to his learning 
and ability ; he possesses more than ordinary natural ability ; — 
is an impressive public speaker, — his manners are free, affable 
and popular, and he is zealous as a partisan, and warm and de- 
voted in his friendships." 

"The public career of Mr. Larrabee," says Messrs. Tenney and 
Atwood, " both in Wisconsin and elsewhere, has ever been in the 
highest degree honorable and useful. He has proved himself a 
gifted statesman, an able and popular Judge, and his military 
record was in all senses patriotic aad noble. So long a career in 
various departments of public life is achieved by but very few, 
and the bare enumeration is in itself the highest eulogy that 
could be paid to his merits." 

Judge Larrabee was ambitious, but honorable in all his aims 
and purposes. The positions to which he was elevated, he filled 
with credit and integrity. Had McClellan or Hancock, his per- 
sonal and political friends, succeeded to the Presidency, he would 
probably have received some fitting appointment. With more 
application, he would unquestionably have risen higher in the 
legal profession. His career was varied, active and useful ; and 
he well deserves to be held in kind and grateful remembrance by 
the people of Wisconsin. 
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